Swimming pool support construction



Nov; 11, 1969 Filed Nov. 28, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 o -0' o o o I INVENTOR. CHARLES J. LINTON BY J m w @1 4,

ATTORNEYS United States Patent U.S. Cl. 52-105 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A supporting structure for a swimming pool including a series of generally rectangular upright brace members disposed about the periphery of the pool between the sides of the pool and the sides of the excavation in which the pool is placed. The braces providing an air space about the periphery of the pool and being interconnected on their inner and outer edges to space the sides of the pool from the surrounding earth thereby preventing buckling due to freezing and unfreezing of the ground. The brace members also provide a support for decking about the periphery of the pool while the air space provides access for maintenance and other purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a supporting structure for swimming pools and in particular relates to means of spacing the sides of the pool from the sides of the excavation in which the pool is placed.

In conventional swimming pool construction an oversized excavation is first made and, once the pool has been formed therein, the earth is backfilled against the sides of the pool. Often and especially in colder climates during the winter months, the expansion of the surrounding dirt due to freezing will cause the walls of the pool to crack and buckle. This invention is intended to eliminate this problem.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART The following prior art is known to applicant: Lorimer, U.S. 2,864,098; Riley, U.S. 3,010,117 et al.; Leuthesser, U.S. 2,888,818; Walter, U.S. 3,192,538.

This prior art generally relates to various wall support members for swimming pools, however, none of these supporting members provide a method of spacing the surrounding earth from the walls of the pool.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It has been found that improved results can be achieved in swimming pool construction by providing supporting means about the periphery of the pool-for spacing the surrounding earth from the walls of the pool.

In conventional construction an excavation is made and the pool is formed of known materials in a known fashion. The earth is then backfilled up against the walls of the pool.

It has been found that by inserting a series 'of spaced upright braces between the Walls of the pool and the edge of the excavation, that buckling due to freezing of 'the earth can be prevented.

3,477,185 Patented Nov. 11, 1969 'ice It has further been found that by constructing the brace members of a pair of interconnected upright supports with their lower ends embedded in concrete footings, that the desired spacing arrangement can be provided and the braces can resist buckling either inwardly or outwardly.

It has further been found that a series of these braces can be spaced from each other about the periphery of the pool and can be interconnected by a plurality of purlins for greater rigidity. It has also been found that by securing sheathing to these purlins and to the outer face of the rear support that an open area can be maintained about the periphery of the pool.

Finally it has been found that the upright supports of the brace members provide an ideal supporting surface for the conventional decking which is used to surround the periphery of the pool adjacent to the top edge of the same.

Accordingly production of an improved swimming pool support of the character described becomes the principal object of this invention with other objects thereof becoming more apparent upon a reading of the following brief specification considered and interpreted in view of the accompanying drawings.

Of the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view showing the layout for the excavation for the pool.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a section taken along the lines 33 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view of the pool partially broken away and showing the pool in assembled condition.

FIGURE 5 is a partial sectional view showing one of the brace members in position.

FIGURE 6 is a side elevation taken along the lines 6-6 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 7 is a partial elevation taken along the lines 77 of FIGURE 4.

Considering first, then, FIGURES 1 through 3 for a brief description of the foundation layout for the pool, it will be noted that, as shown, the excavation is generally rectangular in planar configuration although, of course, any desired configuration could be employed without detracting from the utility of the invention. The excavation has, as will be seen from FIGURE 2, sloping bottom walls which slope from a minimal depth to a maximum depth moving from right to left of FIGURE 2. Additionally a series of post holes 50, are provided at spaced intervals about the periphery of the pool for purposes to be described below. The particular spacing is dependent upon the desired strength requirements for the bracing, but in any event is generally uniform about the periphery.

It' should be noted at this point that the excavation, contrary to normal construction, is made over-sized with regard to the size of the pool for reception of the unique support means as will be subsequently described in greater detail.

Referring next to FIGURES 4 and 6 then for a general description of the pool itself, it will be seen that the invention includes a pool P of conventional construction including a vinyl liner L contoured to conform with the general shape of the above described excavation. The construction of the pool per se is conventional and will not be described in any great detail except as necessary in relation to the operation of the unique supporting means therefore.

Considering further then FIGURES 4 and 6, it will be seen that the supporting means consists of a plurality of brace members 10, 10. Each brace member consists of a pair of uprights 11, 11, cross members 12, 12 and at least one interconnecting tie 13.

Turning next then to FIGURE 6 for a detailed examination of one of the braces 10, 10, it will be seen that each of these braces includes a pair of wooden uprights 11, 11. These uprights are shown in the drawings constructed of wood but they may, of course, be of any suitable material. It will be noted that the bottoms of each upright 11, 11 is embedded in concrete footers 11a, 11a which are formed in post holes 50, 50.

Uprights 11, 11 are also interconnected by cross pieces 12, 12 which are arranged in roughly X-shaped disposition so as to provide additional rigidity to the brace 10 and are nailed or otherwise secured to uprights 11, 11.

Additionally a further cross tie 13 spans the distance between uprights 11, 11 adjacent of their tops so that once the uprights 11, 11 are installed in the footings 11a, 11a and the cross pieces 12, 12 and 13 are attached, an extremely rigid brace member is formed having a generally rectangular configuration when viewed from the side. This structure will readily resist forces applied to it from either the left or right of FIGURE 6 for example.

As noted above, the frame consists of a series of braces 10, 10 such as just described and adjacent braces are interconnected by a series of purlins 14, 14 as shown in FIG- URES 6 and 7. Attached to the face of purlins 14, 14 closest to the side of pool P is a sheathing 15 and this sheathing butts up against the sidewall or liner L of the pool.

On the opposite edge of the brace on the outboard upright 11, additional purlins 16, 16 and sheathing member 17 is applied. With this sheathing serving to both interconnect adjacent braces 10, 10 and to keep dirt from falling into the area between the uprights 11, 11. This sheathing 17 is normally aluminum or corrugated steel but it could also be made of wood which has been treated to withstand moisture. The primary function of this sheathing is to keep the dirt from falling into the space between uprights 11, 11 until the same has settled.

Adjacent braces 10, 10 are also interconnected by joists 20, 20 which have blocks 21, 21 placed between them for greater strength. A decking material such as plywood is then laid on top of joists 20, 20 and covered with a suitable covering 40 such as carpeting. In this regard, the covering material is optional and other suitable material may be substituted if desired.

In construction of a pool utilizing the present invention, it is first necessary to excavate to the previously determined dimensions along the contours shown in FIGURES 1 through 3 and in addition to the excavation for the pool liner itself, it will be noted that the series of post holes 50, 50 are also disposed about the periphery of the pool.

Once the initial excavation has been made and the pool itself has been formed, it is merely necessary to insert the braces 10, 10 which can be either preassembled or assembled at the work site into the post holes 50, 50. These holes are then filled with concrete as clearly shown in FIGURE 6. As soon as this concrete has set, the area between sheating 17 and the outer edge of the excavation can have its bottom filled with gravel for drainage purposes and then can merely have the remaining area backfilled with dirt.

Decking 30 can then be placed from the top of the brace members and secured thereto in known fashion.

It should be noted at this point that an open space has been provided entirely about the periphery of the pool and the pool filter can be placed between adjacent braces 10, 10 and the decking arranged with a trap door or other suitable means of access to provide ready access to the interior for cleaning purposes.

Additionally, this open space about-the-walls of the pool can be used for access for various purposes such as replacement of lights and servicing of the filter for example.

It should also be noted that while uprights 11, 11 are shown embedded in concrete 11a, 11a in holes 50, that it is possible, under suitable soil conditions, to eliminate holes 50, 50 and merely drive the uprights 11, 11 into the ground. In this case, and assuming the uprights are wooden, it is advisable to first treat the posts chemically so that they can withstand rot.

It should also be noted that it is advisable to excavate the area adjacent outboard upright 11 slightly and place a liner of visqueen or similar material in the bottom. This is then filled with gravel (see FIGURE 5) and insures adequate drainage to avoid water standing between uprights 11, 11.

It has been shown, therefore, how by providing a series of unique brace members about the circumference of a conventional swimming pool that an air space can be provided between the walls of the pool and the walls of the excavation into which the pool is fitted. In this way buckling of the pool walls due to freezing and thawing is prevented and additionally, ready access for a variety of necessary operations connected with pool maintenance has been provided.

It should be noted here that while the components of the brace members have been shown and described as being constructed of wood, it is equally possible to construct the same of other materials while retaining the structural advantages of the invention.

It should also be noted while the invention has been described and shown in connection with a pool for a generally rectangular shape, it is believed apparent that the inventive concept herein disclosed would have equal utility with pools having different outside configurations.

It is also believed apparent that while the primary purpose of the invention is for utilization with sunken swimming pools, it is believed apparent that this same bracing structure could be utilized in an above ground installation with the outer sheathing 17 being of a decorative nature.

While a full and completed disclosure of the invention has been set forth in accordance with the dictates of the Patent Statutes, it should be understood that modifications thereof may be resorted to without departing from the spirit thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A swimming pool adapted to be recessed in an excavation below ground level comprising;

(a) a liner;

(b) a frame 1) extending around the periphery of said pool and (2) being connected to said liner and (3) spacing said liner from the walls of said excavation;

(c) said frame including (1) a plurality of identical brace members spaced from each other about the periphery of said pool;

(d) each of said brace members including (1) a first upright support disposed adjacent said liner (2) a second upright support spaced from said first support and away from said liner (3) an X-frame interconnecting each pair of said supports (4) a cross piece interconnecting each pair of said supports adjacent their tops (5) a first series of purlins interconnecting adjacent first supports;

(e) a first sheathing member (1) attached to said first series of purlins; and

(f) a second sheathing member spanning the distance between adjacent second supports (1) whereby said frame forms an enclosed area about the periphery of said pool.

2. The device of claim 1 further characterized by the presence of a second series of purlins interconnecting said second supports; said second sheathing member being attached to said second series of purlins.

3. The device of claim 1 further characterized by the fact that adjacent brace members are interconnected by joists extending between the cross pieces of adjacent brace members.

'1. The device of claim 3 further characterized by the presence of decking attached to said joists.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,433,205 10/1922 Hodges 52169 Booraem 4172 Riley et a1. 4172 Zars 4172 Walter -c 52265 X Powers 4172 Fox 52169 FOREIGN PATENTS 6/ 1938 Australia.

1890 Great Britain. 6/ 1924 Great Britain.

US. Cl. X.R. 

